Noce palestyńskie (reportaż palestyński specjalnej wysłanniczki „Lektury”)

Abstract

The publication contains a series of reportages by Paulina Appenszlak (approx. 1900–1976), that were published between the 6ᵗʰ and 29ᵗʰ of May 1934 in the social and weekly magazine “Lektura. Tygodnik literacko-społeczny” issued in Warsaw. In the context of her era and the subject, which was her journey to Palestine, the reportages by Appenszlak are not unique. The journeys of famous Polish writers, such as Andrzej Strug, Maria Kuncewiczowa, or Ksawery Pruszyński, were the best known and most commented by Jewish and Polish publicists. All these reportages differed in terms of the point of view on reality that resulted from the motivation of the travellers who decided to go to Palestine, the state of their knowledge about the country, and their ability to communicate information. The works of Appenszlak are distinguished by the way of describing reality. The reporter focused on the lives of women – emigrants from Europe – and their ability to adapt to the new living conditions. The descriptions provided by the author clearly show a combination of emotional sensitivity with cognitive distance. The created image of Palestine consists of the lives of the protagonists and the stories of their choices, dreams, and the hardships of everyday life. This is an interesting literary means that distinguishes the author from her contemporary writers. The texts were prepared for the edition by dr Monika Szabłowska-Zaremba (KUL, Lublin).